Hair treatment apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A hair treatment method and apparatus for use in conditioning hair. The treatment device includes two layers. One is formed of plastic or polyethylene material and the other is fabricated of terry cloth material. The method steps include placement of the treatment device in a dryer. The apparatus may be economically manufactured and is designed for in-home or hair salon usage. The concepts disclosed have utility for the treatment of long hair and related applications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is generally related to the hair treatment arts and, in particular, to a novel hair wrapping apparatus and method of use.

[0002] Prior art designs have proven to be difficult to handle and uncomfortable for the user.

[0003] More recent designs which place chemicals in a hair wrap for retail sale are potentially hazardous since FDA approval is not typically achieved.

[0004] Devices which do achieve a deep conditioning of hair are cumbersome, must be professionally operated and are too costly for widespread sales in the hair treatment market.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to demonstrate a hair wrap which may be easily used by one person to accomplish the desired deep hair conditioning which penetrates the hair to the follicle level.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to show a hair treatment device which is fabricated of readily available materials such as terry cloth and plastics without the need for separate chemicals placed inside the hair wrap.

[0007] It is a still further object to set forth a hair wrap design which has special utility for longer hair. The principles disclosed have beneficial use for shorter hair as well.

[0008] It is also an objective of the invention to describe a hair wrap which may be economically manufactured for widespread commercial appeal in the hair treatment arts.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the description which follows.

PRIOR ART PATENTS AND DESIGNS

[0010] During the course of preparing this specification for submission to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a full search of the prior art was conducted.

[0011] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,658,839 and 4,494,557 are broadly related and are classified in U.S. Class 132 pertaining to hair treatment methods.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,839 shows the use of various chemicals contained within a hair wrap type of applicator.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,557 seeks to provide a permanent hair wave by combining various compounds sold over the counter.

[0014] In contrast, the invention disclosed herein may be much more safely used and economically produced while still achieving a deep conditioning and treatment of hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The hair wrap of the present invention is fabricated of two distinct and conjoined layers:

[0016] a) a terry cloth or towel layer sized to cover and wrap around longer hair, and

[0017] b) a flexible plastic layer made of polyethylene or similar materials suitable for use in a dryer.

[0018] In the method of use, the conjoined layers are heated in a clothes dryer and then used to cover or wrap around the hair which has previously had conditioner applied thereto.

[0019] As described, the plastic layer acts as a heat barrier or heat reflector to direct warmth to a deep level of the hair and scalp. Thus, a more effective treatment or conditioning is achieved.

[0020] The two layers are attached in a novel fashion and the wrap may be sold in kit form as part of a unique business method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0021]FIG. 1 is a bottom schematic view of the hair treatment device and illustrates the plastic or polyethylene layer and attachment means.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a person and illustrates the areas covered by the hair treatment wrap.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a top view of the hair wrap and shows the towel or terry cloth portion of the device.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows, in block diagram form, the method steps utilized in practice of the invention.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the hair treatment device as applied to the head of a user.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view showing a possible method of attaching the plastic and terry cloth layers for long life of the product.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a side view of a kit form of the invention wherein the hair wrap apparatus is sold with a hair treatment product.

FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows a view of the underside of the wrap apparatus 10.

[0029] A plastic layer 11 is attached to a surrounding towel or terry cloth layer 12 at lines 15. The means of attachment may be stitching, adhesives or other mechanical attachment means used in the mechanical arts.

[0030] For longer hair uses, the approximate sizing of the combined wrap would be 40 inches×28 inches.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the plastic-terry cloth wrap 10 has a smaller left-hand portion 16 and a larger right-hand portion 17. Referring to FIG. 2, the portion 16 is applied to the head area 16 a and the portion 17 is applied to the elongated hair area 17 a of the user.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a top view of the combined apparatus and shows the towel or terry cloth 12 having left and right portions 18 and 19, respectively.

[0033] The method steps utilized in practice of the invention are illustrated at numeral 20 of drawing FIG. 4.

[0034] As indicated at block 21, the described hair treatment wrap is manufactured of the plastic and towel/terry cloth combination. The wrap unit is placed in a dryer on, for example, a cotton setting for about ten minutes as indicated at block 22.

[0035] At step 23, the user applies a conditioner or other hair treatment product to the scalp and hair.

[0036] At step 24, the warmed towel 10 is wrapped around the head and elongated hair with the plastic side nearest the head for reasons to be further described.

[0037] The wrap is maintained in position about the head and hair for approximately 10 minutes as indicated at block 25.

[0038] After such treatment time has passed, the wrap combination is removed as indicated at block 26.

[0039] Referring to the schematic view of FIG. 5, the treatment wrap 10 is shown in position at the area of the scalp 30 having hair and follicles 31 to be treated.

[0040] If the plastic portion 11 is used by itself, i.e. without the towel 12 attached, it is very difficult to wrap the heated plastic around the hair. The heated plastic is simply difficult to handle and arrange in a desired position especially with longer hair.

[0041] Further, condensation of moisture typically occurs at numerals 40 because of the temperature difference between the heated plastic and the ambient air. Such moisture formation causes the plastic to be slicker and even more difficult for the user to position in place.

[0042] However, when the towel/terry cloth 12 is added, the towel serves the purpose of absorbing any excess condensate or moisture thus providing more comfort and ease of use. The terry cloth 12 also provides just enough weight that the combined wrap does not easily slip or move from its desired position.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, a method of attaching the plastic layer 11 to the towel or terry cloth layer 12 is illustrated.

[0044] As shown, an end 12 a of the terry cloth layer is wrapped up and around an end 11 a of the plastic layer 11 and an attaching means such as stitching 15 is used to bind the two layers together.

[0045] In this manner, the end 11 a of the plastic layer is protected thereby extending the useful life of the combined apparatus during many cycles of use in a dryer.

[0046]FIG. 7 shows a kit form of the invention for advantageous marketing.

[0047] A bottle of conditioner 50 having a cap 52 is placed in a container 60.

[0048] The previously described wrap 10, composed of layers 11 and 12, is positioned around the conditioner bottle to provide a protective layer. Thus, an efficient business method for marketing is demonstrated.

[0049] The combined towel and plastic layers as shown also help the plastic retain its desired shape so it can be efficiently heated in a conventional dryer without damage.

[0050] The plastic utilized may be of a conventional type so long as it has the requisite durability to be placed in a dryer for heating.

[0051] Other variations of the method and apparatus described may be used for shorter hair or for other types of hair treatment.

[0052] It is intended in this specification to cover all equivalent methods and structures which would reasonably occur to those of skill in the art.

[0053] The invention is further defined by the claims appended hereto. 

I claim:
 1. A hair treatment wrap (10) especially adapted for conditioning or treatment of longer hair comprising: a first layer of plastic material (11) means capable of being heated in a dryer, a second layer of terry cloth or towel material (12) of approximately the same size as said first plastic layer, attachment means (15) for securing said first and second layers together at the peripheral edges thereof.
 2. The hair treatment wrap of claim 1 wherein the plastic layer (11) includes a smaller left portion (16) for covering the head of the user and a larger right portion (17) for wrapping around and covering the elongated hair of a user of the device.
 3. The hair treatment device of claim 2 wherein the plastic and terry cloth layers are rectangular in shape and about 28 by 40 inches in size.
 4. A method of hair treatment comprising the steps of: a) providing a treatment device (10) having a first layer (11) and a second layer (12), b) heating said treatment device (10) in a dryer, c) applying a treatment agent such as a hair conditioner to the hair, d) applying the heated treatment device (10) to the hair for a predetermined amount of time.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said first layer is fabricated of plastic material and the second layer is fabricated of terry cloth or towel material.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said first and second layers are joined together at peripheral edges thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said first and second layers are approximately 28 inches by 40 inches in size.
 8. A kit useful for marketing hair conditioners and related products comprising: a conditioner bottle (50) including a cap (52), a container (60) for said conditioner bottle, a towel wrap (10) positioned within said container to provide protection for said conditioner bottle, said wrap (10) comprising layers of plastic and terry cloth material, said wrap having utility as a hair treatment device when used in combination with the conditioner contained within said kit.
 9. The kit of claim 8 wherein the wrap (10) has a plastic end portion (11 a) which is placed within an end portion (12 a) of a terry cloth layer to provide protection and long life for the wrap. 